Catalyst for polymerization and copolymerization of olefines and a method for preparing same

ABSTRACT

A catalyst for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins is a binary system consisting of a complex compound formed by a halide of a transition metal belonging to Groups IVA-VA of the periodic system with polyglycolic ethers of mono- or polyfunctional alcohols, or polyglycolic esters of carboxylic acids or their anhydrosorbitols, in combination with aluminumorganic compounds. The said complex compounds are prepared by the interaction between said ethers (esters) and halides of transition metals in organic solvents in an inert medium.

United States Patent 1191 Pomogailo et al.

[ May 6,1975

[ CATALYST FOR POLYMERIZATION AND COPOLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINES AND A METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME [76] Inventors: Anatoly Dmitrievich Pomogailo,

ulitsa Pervaya, 33, kv. 15, Moskovskaya Oblast; Urakbai Alimbaevich Mambetov, ulitsa Abaya, 16, kv. 10, Guriev; Dmitry Vladimirovich Sokolsky, prospekt Abaya, 31, kv. 38, Alma-Ata; Alexandr Avraamovich Bolshov, ulitsa Ukrainskaya, 68 kv. 2, Guriev; Moisei Kharitonovich Gluzman, ulitsa Danilevskogo, 20, kv. 40, Kharkov; Gerta Gennadievna Kochurovskaya, ulitsa Bezdonnaya, 2, kv. 2, Kharkov; Evgeny Moiseevich Gluzman, ulitsa Danilevskogo, 20, kv. 40, Kharkov; Petr Evgenievich Matkovsky, ulitsa Pervaya, l6, kv. 26, Moskovskaya Oblast; Galina Albertovna Beikhold, Noginsky raion,

p/o Chernogolovka, Obschezhiie, Moskovskaya Oblast; Irina Ivanovna Afanasieva, ulitsa Abaya, 7, kv. 10, Guriev; Mikhail lvanovich Burymchenko, ulitsa 80/1, kv. 35, Odessa; Esengeldy Baishiganov, ulitsa Abaya, 9, kv. l4, Guriev, all of USSR.

[22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 320,710

[52] U.S. Cl. 252/429 C; 252/429 B; 260/88.2; 260/93.7; 260/94.9; 260/345.8; 260/429 R; 260M293; 260/429.5

[51] Int. Cl B0lj 11/84 [58] Field of Search 252/429 C, 429 B {56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,060,132 10/1962 Weeks et al 252/429 B 3,116,274 12/1963 Boehm et al.... 252/429 B X 3,168,588 2/1965 White et a1 252/429 B X Primary ExaminerPatrick P. Garvin The said complex compounds are prepared by the interaction between said ethers (esters) and halides of transition metals in organic solvents in an inert medium.

13 Claims, N0 Drawings CATALYST FOR POLYMERIZATION AND COPOLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINES AND A METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME This invention relates to catalytic polymerization processes and more particularly to catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins. The said catalysts are used in the manufacture of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of ethylene with propylene and other olefins.

Known in the prior art are catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins, which are binary systems consisting of metal compounds MX where M is a metal from IVA-VIA or VII Groups of the periodic system, X is a halogen, oxyhalogen, hydrogen, alkoxy-, aryloxy-, or amido group, n is the number characterizing the valency of M, and an aluminum-organic compound having the general formula AIR Y where R is a hydrocarbon radical, Y is a halogen or hydrogen, p is equal to or less than 3 (See N. Gaylord and H. Mark, Linear and Stereoregular Addition Polymers Interscience Publishers. Inc. New York, 1959).

Practically, the most often used catalysts are those based on halides of high-valency transition metals (Ti- Cl.,, VCl.,, VOCl ZrCl and others) in combination with aluminum-organic compounds of the type Al(C H (C H AlCl, (C H AlCl, Al(iso-C H (i-C,I-l AlCl, (i-C ll hAlH.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the binary catalysts in polymerization and copolymerization and also in order to give the polymers the desired properties (molecular weight, crystallinity, stereoregularity, and in copolymerizationthe composition of the copolymers) additives (the third component) modifying the catalyst are used. These additives are mostly nucleophilic compounds such as tertiary amines, ethers, phosphines, sulfides, etc., known commonly as Lewis bases.

In view of the fact that the character of the polymerization process largely depends on the nature of the catalyst components the introduction of the third component facilitates the control of the kinetics of the polymerization process and the properties of the produced polymers.

The disadvantage inherent in the known methods of modifying the binary catalysts used for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins is a comparatively strong tendency of the aluminum-organic compounds (and also organic compounds with other metals, e.g., lithium, boron, etc.) toward the formation of complexes of the donor-acceptor type with the third component on account of an unshared electron pair of the donor atom in the Lewis base and unfilled p orbitals of the aluminum atom. lf comparatively strong Lewis bases (ammonia, aliphatic amines, etc.) are used as the third component; the aluminum-organic compounds form with them stable complex compounds, which is disadvantageous from the aspect of the catalytic activity of the system. K. Vesely (J. Polymer Sci, 34, 46 (I959), 55, 25, l96l) reports in his papers on the decreasing activity of the system TiCI;,-AI(C H I,) used in the polymerization of propylene associated with the in troduction of strong Lewis bases as modifying compounds (due to the deficiency of free aluminum-alkyl resulting from the formation of aluminum-alkyl complexes inactive with respect to polymerization). At the same time, complexes of aluminum,-alkyls with weak Lewis bases, for example with ethers (G. Geiselr, W.

Knothe, GDR Pat, No. 26,251 possess comparatively high activity in the polymerization of ethylene.

Moreover, when introduced directly into the reaction mixture, the third component can react with the already formed catalytic complex and destroy it.

Nevertheless, the introduction of some additives, for example, 0. l-l0.0 per cent by weight of the product of alkylphenol condensation with S-lO mols of ethylene oxide (Weeks, L. E. M. Manimie, R.J., U.S. Pat. No. 3,060,132 and 3,159,6l5) into the suspension formed by TiCl and Al(iso-C H sometimes increases its activity. But in the general case, these methods of modification are not sufficiently effective, since they involve undue consumption of the third component and alumi num-organic compounds.

To minimize this disadvantage, complex compounds of the donor-acceptor type, halides of transition metals with the third component, are sometimes used as components of the catalytic systems. For example, it has been proposed to use, as the catalysts in the polymerization of a -olefins, complex compounds of TiCl VCl,,, VOCl with ethers or esters (Japanese Pat, Nos. 552, 19,915, 2,910) in mixtures with aluminumorganic compounds.

The activity of such catalysts is comparable with that of the best catalysts (Ziegler-Natt). At the present time, a comparatively large number of such systems is known (cf., e.g., Chemistry Petroleum and Petrochemical Synthesis" A. D. Pomogailo Alma-Ata, 1970, pp. 76] 19 lin Russianl). However, an incessant search in this field shows that the existing methods still suffer from disadvantages.

Finally, it should be noted that one of the main problems ofindustrial production of polymers by the known catalytic methods is washing of the produced polymers to separate them from catalyst residues which otherwise impair stability of the polymers.

Various additives are used to facilitate the removal of the catalyst residue. These additives combine with the products deactivating the catalyst into compounds which can be easily removed. Thus, for example, after the polymerization process is over, an emulsion prepared on the basis of non-ionogenic surfactants is introduced into the polymer (US. Pat. No. 3,320,223).

In this respect, the search for additives which would combine therein the functions of the third component modifying the catalyst on one hand, and of an additive facilitating the removal of the catalyst residue after polymerization on the other hand, is of special interest.

The object of this invention is to provide a catalyst for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins which would increase the efficiency of the polymerization process to ensure high yields of the polymer possessing improved physico-mechanical properties.

Another object of the invention is to discover modifying ligands which would combine with the compounds of transition to form complex compounds highly active with respect to polymerization and copolymerization.

These and other objejcts of the invention have been attained in a catalyst for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins which, according to the invention is a binary system consisting of a complex compound having the general formula /D-OMX,,,,/ mMX, formed in the reaction between MXn and D, where M is a transition metal of groups IVA or VA of the periodic system, X is a halogen, oxyhalogen, n is the numher indicating the valency of M, m is a whole number from 1 to 50, and D is a modifying ligand of the electron-donor type selected from the group consisting of a. polyglycolic ethers of monofunctional alcohols b. polyglycolic'. ethers of polyfunctional alcohols (RCOOCH C CH (OCH CH )r-OH] where R is C H C H anM is from 2.5 to 29',

c. polyglycolic esters of carboxylic acids RCO- (OCl-l Cl-l OH where R is C H C H and k is from to l60;

dv anhydrosorbitols of carboxylic acids (twins) O Gig x 0 l p.

cn-toca cn l OH where R is C I-1 C H and k k k is from to 85 in combination with AlR Y where R is a lower alkyl or isoalkyl or Y is chloride, hydrogen, and p is from 1 to 3.

The following are examples of catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins according to the invention:

as compared with the life known catalysts, and hence increases the yield of the polymer about l.5-2 times.

2. Modifying ligands D used in the present invention are comparatively weak Lewis bases, and they therefore do not interfere with alkylation of the transition metal with the aluminum-organic compound, and they promote the formation of a comparatively large number of active entities of polymerization and accelerate the reaction rate.

3. Catalysts for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins of the known type possess an increased activity in a medium of aromatic solvents. But even in the early stages of the polymerization procoess, alkylation of the aromatic solvents, polymerizable by the olefin, takes place alongside with the polymerization. Thus, during polymerization of ethylene in benzene with a system TiCl (C l-l AlCl, the ratio of the products of polymerization and alkylation is 0.8:] .l.

The modifying ligands used in this invention react with the products of the evolutionary phenomena taking place in the catalyst which deactivate and convert it into the alkylating catalyst, and thus inhibit the cationic direction of the process to make it selective.

4. Catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins according to the present invention catalyze the formation of polymers having higher molecular weights, since the ligands of the (a), (b), (c) and (d) type coordinate with the agents responsible for the discontinuation or limitation of the polymer chains to prolong the life of the latter.

5. Modifying ligands used in the present invention ensure more complete removal of the catalyst residues from the polymers after the polymerization has been completed. The ash content of the polymers after alcohol washing decreases two times as compared with the ash content of the polymers prepared with the usual Ziegler-Natt catalysts.

6. The catalyst prepared according to the present invention is stable in storage and more stable in the polymerization process, while the known components of catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins, halides of high-valency transition metals (VCl in particular) are unstable in storage, especially when exposed to light, and they decompose spontaneously into halides of lower valency which markedly decreases the activity of the catalyst.

The above-named advantages are responsible for the improved physico-mechanical indices of the polymers prepared with the claimed catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins: density, melting point, yield point, tensile strength, specific elongation at break.

It is impossible to attain the combination of all the above named advantages in a polymer prepared with the known catalysts (including that covered by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,060,l32 and 3,159,615).

The proposed catalysts are prepared by a method in which, according to the invention the said complex compounds of transition metals are obtained by the reaction between solutions of a metal compound MX where M is a transition metal from Groups IVA-VA of the periodic system, X is a halogen or oxyhalogen, and n is the number denoting the valency of M, and a solution of a substance selected from the following groups:

a. polyglycolic ethers of monofunctional alcohols R(OCH CH where R is C H C H, and k is from 3 to 9;

ILC CH-O-C-R 13-! oca ca m -OH on (OCH CH )k 0a where R is C H C H k k +k from 20 to 85, in aromatic or chlorine containing solvents in an inert atmosphere with subsequent isolation and drying of the principitated complex compound.

The optimum concentrations of MX, and D in aromatic and chlorine-containing solvents are from I to 5 per cent, and the preferable solvent is carbon tetrachloride. The said components are mixed by intense stirring. In l-5 hours following mixing of the reactants, the precipitate is separated on a filter in a current of dry nitrogen or argon, washed with the solvent to the absence of chemically non-bonded components and dried in a vacuum filter. Then the product is packed in an inert atmosphere in spherical glass ampoules and sealed.

The results of the elementary analysis and infra-red spectroscopy of the prepared products indicate that the interaction of the modifiers of this type, which are potentially polydentate ligands in the complexing reactions with the halides of the transition metal, might be a multi-stage process, the first step of the transformations occurring in such complicated systems being the formation of metalloethers on account of the terminal hydroxyl groups of the ligands, for example 0 O :1 I" w I 1- n? R v (OCll brl k OH 11i R-C At the next stage, the reaction entities, including the carbonyl group (for oxyethylated derivatives of acids) are realized:

Only when considerable excess of the halide ofa transition metal is present, the latter is joined to the oxyethylene links:

each MX, molecule being joined to the chain consisting of an average of three oxyethylene fragments.

According to the invention, the object can be attained by using the products of the interaction between polyglycolic ethers and halides of the transition metals formed at any of the three stages, but the best effect is attained with the products of the final stage III. The basic characteristics of complex compounds of this type are given in Tables 1 through 4 appended to the description.

It should be noted that the complex compounds discussed in this description have not been known in the prior art.

The modifying ligands, polyglycolic ethers of monofunctional alcohols (a), polyfunctional alcohols (b) and also polyglycolic esters of carboxylic acids (c) or of their anhydrosorbitols (d) are inexpensive and readily available substances produced by a simple process consisting in direct condensation of the corresponding compounds with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide:

lt-OH k C11 CH2 R (OCH2CH2 O -OH O H CH-O-l'i-R HO CH CH OH CH-OH H ill-U-L-li .1 The catalyst for polymerization and copolymerization, according to this invention can be prepared by both continuous and batch processes.

For a better understanding of the present invention, it will be illustrated by an example of practical embodi ment of the method for preparing a complex compound. the component of the binary catalyst.

EXAMPLE 1 Into a three-necked flask were charged in an inert atmosphere 7.6 g ofTiCl (0.04 mol) in 150 ml ofcarbon tetrachloride. The flask was provided with a stirrer with a hydraulic mercury seal and a separating funnel, and also a tap for delivery of argon. 5.4 g (0.01 mol) ofoxyethylated nonyl alcohol C H COCH CH OH in 120 ml of carbon tetrachloride were added from the separating funnel with intense stirring at room temperature during a period of 60 minutes. The evolved HCl was removed by flushing with argon with intense stirring for another hour.

The formed precipitate was transferred in an inert medium onto a vacuum filter; after filtration the precipitate was washed two times with fresh portions of carbon tetrachloride and dried finally in vacuum at a residual pressure of 1 mm Hg and a temperature of 20C. The finished product was packed in a current of argon into spherical glass ampoules and sealed. The yield of the product was 11 g (85 per cent of theory).

The other complex compounds, whose characteristics are given in Table 1 through 4, were prepared by a similar procedure. Tables 5 and 6 list some characteristics of polyglycolic esters of fatty acids and oxyethylated esters of fatty acids, respectively.

The synthesized complex compounds were used in combination with aluminum-organic compounds as catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization of olefins. The catalysts for polymerization and copolymerization were tested to show the following results as shown in Examples 2-13.

EXAMPLE 2 Into an evacuated 0.25-liter reaction vessel provided with a stirrer and a loading device, were charged at 40C 100 ml of n-heptane, 0.0936 g of [C, H CO(OCH CH TiCl 14TiC1 and 0.3112 g of (iC.,H AlC1; the pressure of ethylene was raised to 218 mm Hg, which corresponds to a concentration in the reaction zone of 0.026 mol/liter.

The polymerization was continued for 1 hour, the process was then discontinued by adding 25 ml of per cent HCl in ethyl alcohol and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes.

The polymer was washed from the of the catalyst residue successively with ethyl alcohol and distilled water, and dried in a vacuum drier at 40C. The yield of polyethylene was 5.2 g; the characteristic viscosity in tetraamine at 130C was 1.8; ash content, 0.0] 1 per cent. The yield of polyethylene prepared in the same conditions by the process utilizing the known catalyst TiCl- .,(iC H A1Cl was 2.7 g; the characteristic viscosity, 1.3; ash content, 0028 per cent.

EXAMPLE 3 Under the conditions described in Example 2, there were charged 0.0337 g of [(C H19(OCH CH -O- TiCl l .3TiC1 0.2030 g of (C H AlCl, 100 ml of benzene, and ethylene to build up a pressure of 296 mm Hg (which corresponds to its concentration in the reaction zone of 0.03 mol/liter). The yield of polyethylene was 2.9 g; ash content, 0.014 per cent. The yield of polyeth- EXAMPLE 4 Under the conditions described in Example 3, there were charged 0.0435 g of [(C,,H CO(OCH CH -O-VClfl .14 VCl. and 0.2827 g of (C H J AICI. The yield of polyethylene was 6.3 g; the characteristic viscosity, 8.7.

EXAMPLE 5 Under the conditions described in Example 3, to 0.0746 g of [(C H, (OCH CH OTiCl ].TiCL, 0.3017 g of (i-C H AlCl was added. The yield of the polymer was 3.4 g.

EXAMPLE 6 Under the conditions described in Example 3, to 0.03010 g of [(C l-l, (CH CH O) OVCl .3VC1, 0.0905 g of (C H A1Cl was charged. The yield of polyethylene was 2.8 g; [1;] =79.

EXAMPLE 7 lnto an evacuated metallic reactor of 1.0-liter capacity were charged 0.8 liter of freshly distilled benzene, 0.421 g of (C,H COOCH C [CH (OCH Cl-l -OVC1 .5VC1 0.8011 g of (iC H AlC1 and ethylene to build up the overall pressure of 2.5 kg/sq.cm, which was then maintained throughout the entire process of polymerization. The temperature inside the reactor was maintained at 40C. The polymerization was continued for minutes and stopped by adding 50 ml of ethyl alcohol. The polymer was washed successively with alcohol. and distilled water, and dried in a vacuum drier at C. The yield of polyethylene is 128 g. The polymer has the following characteristics: viscosity, 8.1; density, 4.945 g/cc; m.p., 130l32C', the yield point, 230 kglsqcm; specific elongation at break, 220 per cent.

EXAMPLE 8 Under the conditions described in Example 3, there were charged 0.0411 g of (C H COOCH C [Cl-l (OCH CH OTiCl 14TiC1 and 0.1201 g of (C H AlCl. After washing, the yield of highmolecular linear polyethylene was 2.8 g (the content of methyl groups was 0.15 per 1000 atoms of carbon).

EXAMPLE 9 Under the conditions described in Example 3, there were introduced 0.031 g of (C H COOCH C ((OCH CH O-COCl .8VOCl and 0.11 g c 11 Al Cl The yield of high-molecular polyethylene was 3.0 g; [1 =9.2.

EXAMPLE 10 Under the conditions described for Example 3, there were introduced 0.1 g of [C H O(C H COO) (0CH CH OVOCl l 30VOCl and 0.227 g of (C H AlCl. The yield of polyethymene was 6.5 g; in] 8.7; d 0.954 g/cc; m.p., l30-l34C; yield point, 220 g/sq.cm; specific elongation at break, 240 per cent. Polyethylene prepared with the known system TiCl. (C H )AlCl (in benzine) is characterized by the follow- 9 ing indiees, respectively: [.4; 0.940; 124-126; 225, 310.

EXAMPLE [1 Under the conditions described for Example 3, to g Of I(CH6O(C11H23CO0)(OCH2CH2)2|] (OVC[ ].7VCl were added 0.0674 g of (i C 11 AlH. The yield was 3.3 g of high-molecular linear polyethylene (containing 0.2 methyl group per [000 carbon atoms). [1 9.0

EXAMPLE [2 Under the conditions described for Example 7, there were introduced 0.75 g of freshly distilled benzene, 0.7916 g of (C H COO) C [CH (CH CH O) -O- VOCl .l SVOCI l.l2 g of (C H A[ C[ and a mixture of monomers of ethylene with propylene (5050 vol. per cent) to build up a pressure of 3 atm.

The polymerization was continued for one hour, and

was stopped by adding ml of ethyl alcohol. The greater part of the solvent was then distilled, and the polymer was washed free of catalyst residue by a usual method. The yield was [12 g of highly elastic copolymer of ethylene with propylene.

EXAMPLE [3 Table 1 Characteristics of Complex Compounds of Oxyethylatcd Nonyl Alcohol M.p., Assay, 7: Complex Color C Found Calculated M C H Cl M C H Cl pale lC, Hm(OCH CHzl, .OTiC[; l TiCl yellow 74-76 [4.25 3[.25 5.76 [4.0l 3[.5l 5.40 36.20 [Q H|l|(0C'H CH,] OTiC[; TiCI. yellow 82-83 [3.02 33.ll 6,04 [3.37 32.58 5.57 34.54 [C H .(OCH CH OTiC[;;] ZTiCl, yellow 86-87 [4.89 27.97 4.65 40.48 [4.27 28.27 4.83 39.34 lC..H.l.(0CH,cll,| -o TlCl.,l TiCL yellow 117-118 [5.48 25x2 4.65 42.88 [5.[9 25.64 4.14 42.17 QHmlOCH cl-ln. o-\/Cl,.| vCl. brown -67 1433 3|.42 5.89 [4.76 31.26 5.35 35.96 [C9H]fl(OCH2 Hg]90 Cl3[ 3VC[ brown 74-76 [6.3] 28.89 4.79 35.45 [5.99 28.17 4.39 36.34

Table 2 Characteristics of MX Complexes with Polyglycolic Dicthcrs of Pcntacrythritol Assay, It Complex Color M.p.,

C Found Calculated M C H Cl M C H Cl (C,H COOCH l C [CH. (CH CH OJ ;O -TiC[;,| STiCl, yellow 93-94 25.3[ 3.34 42.16 [5.92 24.25 3.99 4|.62 (C,H,,COOCH,]. C lCH (OCH CH l pale o Ticl Tricl, yellow 96-97 [5.80 25.88 4.26 [6.25 25.29 5.95 45.39 (C,H.,COOCH Cl lCH:(OCH,CH )\2..-, O TiCL I 2 XTiCl, 92-94 [2.15 28.70 5.l4 34.98 [2.54 29.09 4.49 35.87 (C H,,COOCH C [CH (OCH CHU orange O-TiC[;,l llTiCl red 97-98 [4.87 22.3[ 3.88 44.4[ [5.69 2[.83 3.55 45.[[ (C H CooCH C((H IOCH CHQ bright O-TiC[; ]-[8TiC[ yellow l0l-l02 [4.36 24.17 4.73 42.53 14.53 23.72 3.9[ 42.2[ lcaacoocnn, c ICH-AOCH- CHQH, -OVC[;.| SVCI brown 67-68 [4.83 26.04 5.0[ [3.92 25.48 4.59 42.[9 IC H COOCHQ, CICHJOCH CHQ -OVC[;;|. 7VCl brown 66-67 6.83 30.07 5.43 33.48 7.18 29.]8 4.62 34.12 (C4HnCOOCH2)! l zl a zhz ()VC[;;[ 2 8VCI brown 57-58 4.72 3037 5.58 35.46 5.32 2913 4.92 35.62 (C H,,COOCH CICH JOCH CH L dark OVC[ l I4VCI; brown 67-69 [6.46 30.23 5.53 30.28 6.67 29.43 4.96 29.46 (C..H ,COOCH ClCH lCtCH CHul-lu -OVC[ l .l9VCl, brown 76 [3.88 4.08 [4.3] 22.69 3.74 45.78 mmoocml2 CI A MM OVOC[ .tiVOCl brown [8.0[ 27.48 36.20 [8.25 27.86 30.50 (C H COOCH M C lcHzl z zlzs -OVOCl IXVOCL, [6.27 23.84 [6.78 24.24

Table 3 characteristics of MX, Complexes with Polyglycolic Esters of Laurie, Palmitic and Olcic Acids Assay. Complex Color M.p., Found Calculated C M C H Cl M C H Cl c ll colocll cllllw-o-Tlcnl l4TiCl. yellow 120423 [4.64 25.00 4.72: A 13.7 2440 5.98 39.45 [C H COlOCH CH,).,.,OTiC[;.l .l4TiCl, pale [45-[46 [5.28 25.5[ 5.08 [4.54 24.77 4 [2 42.39

vellow Table 6 Cominued Some Characteristics of Oxycthylatcd Esters of Fatty Acids Critical concentration of micelle formation Cloud point "C Chemical and trade name We claim: 1. A catalyst for polymerization and copolymer- [Sill Hydro-lipophilic balancc 2. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system [C H CO (OCl-l CH OTiCl ]l4TiCl ization of olefins which is a binary system consisting of (iC I-l AlCl.

a complex compound having the general formula 3. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the sys- 1) o Mx,. mMX,,, formed by the interaction betweenam c,H,(0CH2CHt)9 t1- t t t.)t

MX, and D, where M is a metal of variable valency belonging to Groups IVA-VA of the periodic system, X is a halogen or an oxyhalogen, n is the number characterizing the valency of the M, m is a whole number from 1 to 50 and D is a modifying ligand of the electron-donor type selected from the group consisting of a. polyglycolic ethers of monofunctional alcohols R-(OCH CH OH, where R is C H, -,C H, and k is 3-9;

b. polyglycolic ethers of polyfunctional alcohols (RCOOCH)2 C [CH (OCH Cl-l -OH] where R is C H C H, and k is 2.5-29

c. polyglycolic esters of carboxylic acids R-CO (OCH (TH OH, where R is C H C H and k l0-160 d. anhydrosorbitols of carboxylic acids where R C H C H k k k 20-85, in combination with an aluminum-organic compound having the general formula AlR,,Y where R is a lower alkyl or isoalkyl, Y is chlorine or hydrogen and p is from l to 3 AlCl.

4. A catalyst according to claim 1 which is the system 5. A catalyst according to claim I, which is the system [C H (OCH CH ()"l'iCl ',]'TiCl -(i- --C H,,) AlCl.

6. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system [C9H19 (OCH2CH2)9 (C HQ AICI.

7. A catalyst according to claim I, which is the system C H COOCH,) C [CH (OCH CH 8. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system [CH2(OCH2CH2)|8 9. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system [CH2(0CH2CH2)|1.5 O- VOCl 8VOCI (C H Algclg.

10. A catalyst according to claim I, which is the system s e 11 aa )s (OCH2CH2)85 VOClfl-ISOVOCL, (C H AlCl.

11. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system i( s s II L'l 2 2)2o OVCl ]'7VCl (i-C H AlH.

12. A catalyst according to claim I, which is the system [(C H COO) C CH (OCH CH O- VOCl -l 8VOCl (C H Al Cl 13. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system [(C5H6O) (C15H31COO) 2 2)4o (OVCl ]l4VCl (iC H Al]-l. 

1. A CATALYST FOR POLYMERIZATION AND COPOLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINS WHICH IS A BINARY SYSTEM CONSISTING OF A COMPLEX COMPUND HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA (D-O-MXN-1), MMXN, FORMED BY THE INTERACTION BETWEEN MXN AND D, WHERE M IS A METAL OF VARIABLE VALENCY BELONGING TO GROUPS IVA-VA OF THE PERIODIC SYSTEM, X IS A HALOGEN OR AN OXYHALOGEN, N IS THE NUMBER CHARACTERIZING THE VALENCY OF THE M, M IS A WHOLE NUMBER FROM 1 TO 50, AND D IS A MODIFYING LIGAND OF THE ELECTRON-DONOR TYPE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A. POLYGLUCOLIC ETHERS OF MONOFUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLS R(OCH2CH2)K-OH, WHERE R IS C6H13-C9H19 AND K IS 3-9; B. POLYGLYCOLIC ETHERS OF POLYFUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLS (RCOOCH2)2 C (CH2 (OCH2CH2)K-OH WHERE R IS C4H9-C6H13 AND K IS 2.5-29 C. POLYGLYCOLIC ESTERS OF CARBOXYLIC ACIDS R-CO (OCH2CH2)K OH, WHERE R IS C11H23-C17H35 AND K = 10-160 D. ANHYDROSORBITOLS OF CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
 2. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system (C17H33CO (OCH2CH2) 40 -O-TiCl3).14TiCl4 -(i-C4H9)2 AlCl.
 3. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system (C9H19(OCH2CH2)9 -O-TiCl3).3TiCl4 -(C2H5)2 AlCl.
 4. A catalyst according to claim 1 which is the system (C11H23CO (OCH2CH2)40 -O-VCl3).14VCl4 -(C2H5)2AlCl.
 5. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system (C6H13(OCH2CH2)4 -O-TiCl3).TiCl4 -(i-C4H9)2 AlCl.
 6. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system (C9H19 (OCH2CH2)9 -O-VCl3) .3VCl4 - (C2H5)2AlCl.
 7. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system C4H9COOCH2)2C (CH2 (OCH2CH2)7.5 -O-VCl3)2 .5VCl4 -(i-C4H9)2AlCl.
 8. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system (C4H9COOCH2)2C (CH2(OCH2CH2)18.5-O-TiCl3)2 .14TiCl4(C2H5)2AlCl.
 9. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system (C4H9COOCH2)2C (CH2(OCH2CH2)12.5 -O-VOCl2)2 .8VOCl3-(C2H5)2 Al2Cl3.
 10. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system ((C5H6O) (C17H33COO)3 (OCH2CH2)85 -O-VOCl2).30VOCl3 -(C2H5)2AlCl.
 11. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system ((C5H6O) (C11H23COO) (OCH2CH2)20 -O-VCl3)3).7VCl4 -(i-C4H9)2 AlH.
 12. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system ((C4H9COO)2 C CH2(OCH2CH2)29 -O-VOCl2)2.18VOCl3-(C2H5)3 Al2Cl3.
 13. A catalyst according to claim 1, which is the system ((C5H6O) (C15H31COO) (OCH2CH2)40 (OVCl3)3).14VCl4 -(i-C4H9)2AlH. 